Sales are great (and we're about to be in the middle of many of them), but they're not the only way to feel like you got your money's worth. Although designer bags at any tier of the market are expensive, occasionally you find one whose appearance and quality outperforms its price tag, even before any markdowns are taken. It's a glorious thing to behold.

With a little skill (and a head start we are happy to provide), these bags aren't hard to find. We've given you over a dozen options below, but should you want to strike out on your own, there are a few key things to remember in order to get maximum style for minimal dollars.

First, stay away from logos or bags that were obviously modeled after a much more expensive design--both are dead giveaways that you maybe have chosen something cheaper than what you actually wanted. If an otherwise beautiful bag comes with a logo charm or tassel, getting rid of it upgrades the whole look. Second, stick with smooth leathers that are a bit stiff in order to provide structure; soft, pebbled leather tends to slouch and look very casual, which usually means it looks less expensive than its cheaper counterparts. Third, stick with something timeless; traditional shapes and neutral colors will feel sophisticated for longer, which helps improve the bag's bang for is buck.